Through a Stronger Lens: Here Come the Holidays*

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Here Come the Holidays*

image: Peter Thoeny

Twas the holiday season, and all through the town

Ten different Santas were turning Brother’s world upside down.

The smells of trees, candles and spicy egg nog

Was enough to give Mom a piercing head fog.

Sister dreamt of big presents and great Christmas fuss

Dad planned holiday travels while school books gathered dust

When out at the mailbox arose such a clatter

He sprung from his seat to see what was the matter.

There was Mom, looking wild, with a laugh long and hearty

Holding fifteen invitations to holiday parties

To Nana’s! To Auntie’s! To the office and friends!

The routine’s out the window till this holiday ends.

Off to the airport for a five hour flight

Lots of time to prepare everyone for the event, and what might

Occur at dear Grandma’s, and for all of the cousins,

And Grandpa who changes plans all of a sudden!

The mayhem begins as soon as they arrive

Mom confiscates treats full of gluten, sugar and artificial dyes

Sis-in-law mentions “pushy parents” and “kids need to have fun”

Oh hurray! Holiday season has clearly begun!

Grandpa bugs Brother to play football, but he just wants to read

Sister sneaks leftovers to make plates for those homeless, in need

Dad’s looking for ear plugs, his mood’s a bit sour

The rest of the family will be there in an hour.

Sister runs and hides as twenty people breeze in

Thank goodness for family members like Uncle Tim

Who’ll chat for hours with Brother about science and the periodical table

While Mom drinks as much “holiday punch” as she’s able.

Now the children are nestled all snug on the floor

Brother doesn’t like scratchy sheets, Sister wants just one book more

Grandma is happy to acquiesce

And sends Mom and Dad off for some quiet and rest.

At holiday dinner, cousins are quiet, well-behaved

Sister refuses to eat what’s been served and flies off in a rage

And what to Mom's terrified eyes should appear

But Brother’s 5 OE's heightened by Great-Auntie's sneer.

Now the weekend has ended, much love and much cheer

Alternated with delicate feelings, apprehension and fear

As Brother wails, feeling itchy in Grandma’s hand-knitted sweater

Mom and Dad sigh, and say “Next year, we just know it, next year will be better.”

"Let’s get ahead of all this stress so we can actually enjoy our holidays, shall we? With some preventive planning and a few tools you can learn to identify and anticipate potential sources of holiday stress, and learn how to use empathy to de-escalate when holiday stress becomes too much.".